…Epic Action in Firing Surf as EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira Draws Closer to Final Rounds

• Sakura Johnson Lights Up Ribeira, Women’s Quarterfinalists Decided
• Gentil Builds Momentum, Leaders Suffer Mixed Fortunes
• Fioravanti Heats Up, Eyes Potential Rankings Lead
• Next Call Saturday at 7:30 a.m WET (830pm Friday nite for Hawaii)

Surfers were stoked to discover a new pulse of energy distilling four-to-six foot waves at low tide and as it filled in, conditions cleaned up to offer excellent surf for a full day of surfing.

The men’s Round of 24 was completed first, followed by the women’s Round of 16 to decide the event’s Quarterfinalists and finally the first four heats of the men’s Round of 16 wrapped up the day.

The last winner on the CS and current No. 4 Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) continued her rampage and made the Quarterfinals, courtesy of an incredible 9 point ride. The fearless Hawaiian attacked a meaty final section with full commitment and was rewarded by the judges panel for her control on one of the savagest moves we’ve seen so far this week.

“We have good waves today and it was really fun,” Sakura Johnson said. “Coming from Hawaii and surfing bigger and more powerful waves in the winter time definitely helps when you travel. I’m super happy to make the Quarters and hopefully I can keep going and get on that podium.”

Rankings leader Caitlin Simmers (USA) did not let the high tide lull hinder her performance as she faced Teresa Bonvalot (PRT), surfing at home and on her birthday. The Portuguese stayed patient, perhaps too patient, while Simmers kept going on one-maneuver waves which eventually was enough to take the win into the Quarters, a round she has made in every single CS event this season.

Molly Picklum (AUS) also managed to escape a tricky high tide matchup with the Semifinalist of last year Ariane Ochoa (EUK). With the guaranteed 5th place result, Picklum has virtually taken the lead over Simmers but it will all come down to both surfers’ result this weekend.

“It was tough, I definitely would have liked to surf a bit more but I’m happy to make it,” Picklum said. “Caity and I have been battling in and out of the water, we’re super close friends and my goal is to take her out cause she’s probably my biggest rival but also my closest friend on tour. It would be awesome to make a Final with her, I love surfing against her and we bring the best out of each other I think.”

As the tide started to draw back, waves offered more vertical sections and the Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) battle brought fireworks with both surfers attacking the waves ferociously. Lindlbad was against the ropes with only a few minutes on the clock but she fought back with an excellent combination of backhand turns to turn the heat on the buzzer with an excellent 8.33.

“I’m really excited that I made it through that heat,” Lindblad said. “It was a really hard one going up against Nikki and we really went back-and-forth. It’s a lot better now against only one other competitor, there are more opportunities and you can wait a bit more. The waves were super fun today.”

Macy Callaghan (AUS) took out the final spot into the Quarters with another strong display to dispatch Yolanda Hopkins (PRT) in equal 9th.

Maui surfer Ian Gentil (HAW) put on a clinic in his Round of 16 matchup against Matheus Navarro (BRA), both in terms of surfing technique but also strategically. The Hawaiian got two good scores quickly, then controlled the lineup, and avoided a big comeback from his opponent in the dying moments of the heat.

“I was really happy to wake up today and see waves,” Gentil said. “I showed up here in the dark cause I was in the first heat of the morning and paddled out on a groveller and it was a pleasant surprise, I thought ‘oh this is the wrong board’. I was just trying to get two scores on the board quickly and then improve my scores. When I heard he got a 7 way down the point I had to paddle down and I ended up getting my best wave.”

Gentil will be facing Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in the first Quarter. Ryan Callinan (AUS) advanced into the Quarters as well, for the second time in as many events and will look to repeat his 2018 heroics when he beat Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) on his way to a major win at Ribeira d’Ilhas.

Dylan Moffat (AUS) won the day’s final heat and will match up with his compatriot Callinan in the Quarters when the event resumes.

The fifth day of action was not immune to upsets and the first one was huge, when World No. 5 Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) was defeated in 17th place in a lineup he knows better than most of the field. In the very next heat, another strong favorite for the win, rankings leader Rio Waida (IDN) was the victim of a wave-starved heat, thankfully the Indonesian had already punched his ticket for the 2023 CT earlier this week.

Coming into this week placed second on the CS, former CT surfer Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)  posted a big win this morning in the Round of 24 when the only surfer higher in the rankings failed to advance. The powerful regular foot dismantled two very good waves with fast and precise turns to lock in two 7+ scores in the first ten minutes of the heat and controlled proceedings from there.

“The waves are pretty tough but right before our heat the tide came up enough for it to hit the reef properly,” Fioravanti said. “It was definitely a dream start to get those two scores early on. Having this on the board I had to make sure my next wave had potential for an 8 and none of the ones that came through were insane. So I was just being patient and making sure that if the bomb came I was going to be on it.”

Fioravanti will drop a low result from his season’s best 4 and now has a chance to seize the rankings lead with a big finish in Ericeira. He will be facing France’s Joan Duru for a spot into the Quarterfinals when the event resumes.

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The 2022 EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is scheduled from October 1 – 9, 2022, at Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira – Portugal. For all results, photos, and video highlights, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is supported by EDP, Vissla, Tourism of Portugal, Mafra City Council, Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, Estrella Galicia, You & The Sea Hotel and Apartments, and Hertz.